Thinking like a pro. Well, the latest episode was fucking intense. That's for sure. I hope some of the upcoming matches will be just as good. I think the fun and joy of Karuta is more enjoyable to Chihaya than winning itself. From that, she achieved more than she expected even though she didn't win. But ya, great episode.

Very good episode. Keeps you on your toes because I can say I've tried to predict a couple of times the outcome in these episode and have been wrong a lot. Also, I know folks want Taichi and Chi to get together but I'm of a different opinion and i think even though Taichi gets to be around Chi more there is the bond of Karuta and how it makes one feel when they play that seems to touch Chi's soul which she first learned from Arata. Maybe I'll edit this post tomorrow or make another reply because my train of thought about what I wanted say just evaporated so I won't elaborate on what I was attempting to say above.

Very good episode. Keeps you on your toes because I can say I've tried to predict a couple of times the outcome in these episode and have been wrong a lot. Also, I know folks want Taichi and Chi to get together but I'm of a different opinion and i think even though Taichi gets to be around Chi more there is the bond of Karuta and how it makes one feel when they play that seems to touch Chi's soul which she first learned from Arata. Maybe I'll edit this post tomorrow or make another reply because my train of thought about what I wanted say just evaporated so I won't elaborate on what I was attempting to say above.

So basically you are saying you are team Arata? You aren't alone I'm still patiently waiting for him to start being around more. It's bound to happen sooner or later.

Yup, another good episode that just flew by. I kinda hope they take a little break from the tournament setup in the next few episodes, change of scenery would be good.

anyway i liked the audio clip at the station in the end when the door closed and Chihaya was saying somthing " ja ne Asate kara zenbu Taikai ......renshuu da ne" behind the glass door and the railway car start to move, boy it brought back some memories. .

anyway i liked the audio clip at the station in the end when the door closed and Chihaya was saying somthing " ja ne Asate kara zenbu Taikai ......renshuu da ne" behind the glass door and the railway car start to move, boy it brought back some memories. .

I love the memories that anime brings back and subway rides are, surprisingly one of the big memories of living in Japan. School Days really brought it back as it was so prominent.

Very good episode. Keeps you on your toes because I can say I've tried to predict a couple of times the outcome in these episode and have been wrong a lot. Also, I know folks want Taichi and Chi to get together but I'm of a different opinion and i think even though Taichi gets to be around Chi more there is the bond of Karuta and how it makes one feel when they play that seems to touch Chi's soul which she first learned from Arata. Maybe I'll edit this post tomorrow or make another reply because my train of thought about what I wanted say just evaporated so I won't elaborate on what I was attempting to say above.

So basically you are saying you are team Arata? You aren't alone I'm still patiently waiting for him to start being around more. It's bound to happen sooner or later.

Yup, another good episode that just flew by. I kinda hope they take a little break from the tournament setup in the next few episodes, change of scenery would be good.

Ha! Yea, Team Arata is right. I'm bad remembering all the names but I'm curious to see how things go with the new girl who was head over heels for Taichi and has seemed to come full circle on learning how to play Karuta.

Not really sure how there can be so much Arata love. His character development is pretty much none existent. Taichi has worked his ass off throughout and he really deserves to be "noticed" by Chihaya.

There's a lot of simple reasons. Arata has been forthcoming with his feelings from day 1. Taichi has always been petty towards Arata. Even when they grew up Taichi still falters and blames Arata for his short comings. When Chihaya gets a message from Arata or some contact between them happens Taichi turns into a vengeful 10 year old yelling someone stole his candy but does nothing to get the candy on his own. As Arata mentioned a few times Taichi is a coward. Arata on the other hand is not perfect.. far from it. He has his own issues.. however I prefer how he deals with life and other people as a result. He's considerate of people's feelings around him (almost to a fault) especially Taichi because he knows how spineless Taichi is with Chihaya. A girl they are BOTH in love with. Even after all of these years Arata is still considerate of Taichi when he really shouldn't be. Taichi on the other hand isn't and is in constant "conflict" with Arata everytime they are together. Something he should have outgrown years ago. THAT is why I love Arata Besides.. Arata is hot..

Not really sure how there can be so much Arata love. His character development is pretty much none existent. Taichi has worked his ass off throughout and he really deserves to be "noticed" by Chihaya.

There's a lot of simple reasons. Arata has been forthcoming with his feelings from day 1. Taichi has always been petty towards Arata. Even when they grew up Taichi still falters and blames Arata for his short comings. When Chihaya gets a message from Arata or some contact between them happens Taichi turns into a vengeful 10 year old yelling someone stole his candy but does nothing to get the candy on his own. As Arata mentioned a few times Taichi is a coward. Arata on the other hand is not perfect.. far from it. He has his own issues.. however I prefer how he deals with life and other people as a result. He's considerate of people's feelings around him (almost to a fault) especially Taichi because he knows how spineless Taichi is with Chihaya. A girl they are BOTH in love with. Even after all of these years Arata is still considerate of Taichi when he really shouldn't be. Taichi on the other hand isn't and is in constant "conflict" with Arata everytime they are together. Something he should have outgrown years ago. THAT is why I love Arata Besides.. Arata is hot..

I agree with this! I could never put a finger on what it was personality wise that made me like Arata better. I mean, Taichi isn't a bad guy. But I think what you said sums it up pretty well. Arata seems more mature somehow basically. And yes, he is hot!

Plus Arata is the one who really lit the fire in Chihaya to go after her own dream. He obviously had a very powerful impact on her. Even over all the time and distance that separated them, they are still connected by that. I really want him to be physically closer so their relationship can develop more. Just because Taichi is already physically closer shouldn't mean that he automatically gets Chihaya. With the way Chihaya is sooo into karuta it's safe to say Arata will be in her life long after Taichi has to limit his playing to be a higher up at some company, like his mother expects. He may still play karuta but not the way Arata and Chihaya are aiming to. At least that's the impression that I get at this point.

I'm worried though, usually when I root for one character over another in a love triangle, the other guy is the one the anime girl picks. Blah.

Arsenettewrote:
There's a lot of simple reasons. Arata has been forthcoming with his feelings from day 1. Taichi has always been petty towards Arata. Even when they grew up Taichi still falters and blames Arata for his short comings. When Chihaya gets a message from Arata or some contact between them happens Taichi turns into a vengeful 10 year old yelling someone stole his candy but does nothing to get the candy on his own. As Arata mentioned a few times Taichi is a coward. Arata on the other hand is not perfect.. far from it. He has his own issues.. however I prefer how he deals with life and other people as a result. He's considerate of people's feelings around him (almost to a fault) especially Taichi because he knows how spineless Taichi is with Chihaya. A girl they are BOTH in love with. Even after all of these years Arata is still considerate of Taichi when he really shouldn't be. Taichi on the other hand isn't and is in constant "conflict" with Arata everytime they are together. Something he should have outgrown years ago.

Yep, you pretty much nailed the main reasons why I'm rooting for Team Arata! ... except for the part about him being "hot," lol.
But also, I think that it's inevitable that Chihaya will become the queen of Karuta sooner or later, and likewise, Arata will become the king of Karuta - and because of this, I think it sets itself up for the greatest potential for the most perfect & fitting ending by having the king and queen end up together by the end of the series. ^__^